_______________________________________________________________Blurb

From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…

Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.

She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.______________________________________________________________________

My Review

DNF at 40%

And the Biggest Disappointment of the Year Award goes to…The Darkest Touch.Or, to be precise, to Torin.

This Torin is not the Torin I got to know and fell in love with in the previous books of this marvelous series.

I felt something like this:

Eleven chapters of the book couldn’t convince me that this is the real Torin.
This Torin here, this arrogant, self-conceited, self-proclaimed badass and bloodthirsty champion of constant erection is NOT the “hero” whose story I wanted to read.

The first 40% of the book from Fake Torin’s viewpoint:“I feel so guilty.”
“I want that girl in the next cell.”
“I’m a big, bad, ancient, bloodthirsty warrior.”
“I have an erection.”
“I want to fuck Keeley, but I can’t. I don’t want to infect her.”
“I feel so guilty.”
“I’m such a badass.”
“I have an erection.”
“I touch her anyway.”
“She has gotten sick. I never touch her again.”
“I feel so guilty.”
“I’m such a badass.”
“I have an erection.”
“I want to fuck Keeley, but I can’t. I don’t want to infect her.”
“I touch her again.”
“She has gotten sick. I never touch her again.”
“I’m such a badass.”
“I feel so guilty.”
“I’m a big, bad, ancient, bloodthirsty warrior.”
“I have an erection.”

Keeley is the Red Queen. Who is the Red Queen, you ask. Well, she is an ancient, all-powerful being (a goddess?). Everyone fears her name (but why?)…

She is in constant tantrum mode, and overall very irritating. Only incoherent and vague information about her in the first half of the story. To make her enigmatic?

She was imprisoned by Cronus for centuries; maybe that’s why she has no idea how to flirt, so she simply spreads her thighs. And it works, ladies!!

In short, they are both ancient, badass, bloodthirsty beings, and they spread things. Torin spreads the plague…

… and Keeley… oh, you already know…

The Story
In the first eleven chapters almost NOTHING happens. Torin and Keeley want to get out of the Realm of Wailing Tears. It’s like a chamber drama, with only the two of them, who just talk and talk (blah blah blah), think about fucking each other, and occasionally slay insignificant tertiary characters. That’s all. Very repetitive.

So the blurb is absolutely correct and exhaustive because it is the only dilemma here: to fuck or not to fuck?

There are only a couple of pages about Cameo and Lazarus, oh, and Baden, but the rest of the Lords don’t show up (again, I read 40%).

Overall, I was super-excited about this book, but it proved to be a disappointment. Yes, I’m very upset, but I’ll survive.

_______________________________________________________________Blurb

Joriah is banished to the dragonworld by his father to find his mate. But when he arrives he finds things aren’t always what they seem. Kings, dukes and baby dragons all vie for attention as Jory tries to figure out who is really his mate and who is trying to kill him.______________________________________________________________________

Far from perfect: the romance. And not just because it’s insta love – you know when insta-lust equals love and a lifetime relationship – let’s not go there, it’s a dragon-mating thing. I’m not opposed to insta-love in paranormal romances when it is executed plausibly.
But here I didn’t feel the chemistry and connection between the characters. Maybe a little between Jory and Val, but there is nothing between Jory and Rai. And all the overused endearments can’t substitute affection and intimacy.

Oh, and what about that political and social rivalry between Val and Rai mentioned at the beginning of the story? It is just dissolved in the fog of desire.

Val and Rai’s characters are not adequately drawn, and sometimes even Jory’s character is inconsistent.

There is an intrigue against Jory by his own family, but this storyline is very weak too.

And finally, just like Jory, I’m very unsatisfied with this divided ménage.

Too bad, because the base of the story is interesting, the mate-hunting workshop is a great idea and I really liked the black baby dragon, whose name was… oh boy… Precious.

_______________________________________________________________Blurb

Ever think Scrooge had it right before the ghosts ruined his life? Meet Aidan O’Conner.At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return…until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing of the world–or anyone who’s a part of it.

When a stranger appears at his doorstep, Aidan knows he’s seen her before…in his dreams.

Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions–and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself…

One cold winter’s night will change their lives forever…Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them–or destroying them both: trust.
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

Dolor, the god of Pain is summoned into the human realm by the selfish, cruel Donnie, who wants him to torture and kill his brother Aidan.

Aidan is a very successful actor, now living as a recluse after his trust and generosity were badly abused by his family and fiancée.

The only character is finely worked out is Aidan. Too fine, actually. His characterization is tiringly long-winded and repetitive. The same facts are paraphrased over and over again. I liked him, but he is not in the same street with Kenyon’s other heroes.

Leta’s character seems interesting, but not delineated properly, let alone the secondary characters.

The plot is simple, the romance undeveloped, but overall it is not a bad story, and it has some great moments.

“And you’re going to save me.” He laughed again, then sobered. “Why would you do that?”
“It’s my job.”
“So you just randomly follow the god of pain around trying to protect his targets. What are you, the antipain fairy?”

The bonus Christmas story, Holiday Gatherings, at the end of the book is brilliant and hilarious! It makes me want to read the following books of the series right now!

“It’s all right, Urian. I have it.”
“You sure? It’s been a whole day since I last killed someone, and I’m getting antsy.”